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Bringing this back to the top. Putting the spare back on when I installed the Thule bike rack was a disaster. The alignment tool does not fit through the lug hole in the 22” wheel. Of course, I discovered that after I attempted to remove the ‘tool’ and had to take everything off and drift out the ‘tool’ from the back side. If I had been dealing with a flat, instead of in my driveway, I would have contemplated homicide. Simply unbelievable that the OEM ‘tool’ does not fit the OEM wheels…
That sucks. Hoping you have or will post a review of that rack.
Have had the rack before. Great rack for not E-bikes. My Seven single speed weighs in at under 24lbs. This rack is rock solid and weighs next to nothing, and for the average mountain or road bike, just great.
This alignment tool is very practical - but just a bit too big for the holes in wheels. (I have original wheels)
The remedy is simple: just couple of minutes of labour and some proper sanding paper. The difference in diameter is really very small and just a small amount of material needs to be sanded away.
My advice: check and do it at home before you need to change the wheel in some muddy raining environment.
Miran
Termite, bring your alignment tool back to your dealer and have them order you a new one. Apparently some were manufactured with that lip on the bottom edge that prevents it from fitting through a lug nut hole. The replacement tool that I got from my dealer easily passes through a wheel hole.
Termite, bring your alignment tool back to your dealer and have them order you a new one. Apparently some were manufactured with that lip on the bottom edge that prevents it from fitting through a lug nut hole. The replacement tool that I got from my dealer easily passes through a wheel hole.
I’ll be darned if I didn’t just discover this same problem and had a go of it.
Changed out my spare wheel again and my back wasn’t having me lifting the tire and getting the lug nut threaded on. I thought “aha - there is a tool for this”. Well - no.
Screwed it on and wouldn’t you know it - the thing doesn’t fit through the hole in my wheel (2020, grey 5098 20” wheel). This tool actually would be helpful. I dropped the spare on my foot once changing it a year ago in the rain. It’s heavy.
Test on a lug hole = will not go through at all on the inner threaded area. The diameter is too large for the hole in the wheel. I’m sure I could file it down or something of the sort -- but -- life’s too short to adapt a silly tool like this and I have no bench grinder.
LR = fail.
Trying to stick it in Still trying You can see if I flip it around it goes in way further.. proving the theory To the trash bin this goes
Last edited by nashvegas; Apr 15, 2025 at 01:37 PM.
FYI: 2 part numbers in the system for this. Anyone with a 2023/2024/2025 want to take a picture of theirs? Or @PaulLR could you snap a pic of the new one you got if it’s not too much trouble?
Furthermore there are 2 part numbers in the system for this. Anyone know which I should order. And what the difference is. Anyone with a 2023/2024/2025 want to take a picture of theirs? Or @PaulLR could you snap a pic of the new one you got if it’s not too much trouble?
LR ALIGNMENT TOOL
LR147223 2020-2023
LR186857 2023 on
If it's worth anything, this is what I have on my 2021. No part numbers or markings or anything:
If it's worth anything, this is what I have on my 2021. No part numbers or markings or anything:
Thanks Cincy. Might you stick it through one of the unused holes in your spare to see if it fits?
Is it a cylinder shape, or is it tapered? Mine is very obviously wider at the threaded end - and does not go thru the wheel hole. FYI.
The 2 I have now that easily pass through do not have that lip at the very bottom edge. The one I returned to the dealer had a small lip that blocked it from passing through a lug bolt hole.
I also figured out it works better if you thread it onto one of the two lower studs. If you mount it on the top single stud it is hard to unscrew, probably due to the weight of the tire on it.
Thanks Cincy. Might you stick it through one of the unused holes in your spare to see if it fits?
Is it a cylinder shape, or is it tapered? Mine is very obviously wider at the threaded end - and does not go thru the wheel hole. FYI.
Mine is like yours; it is wider at the threaded end. I have the cover on mine, but give me a little bit and I'll try It out for you as long as it doesn't start raining. Also bear in mind I'm running wheels from an LR4, but I don't think that would make a difference.
